In 1969, David Bowie introduced the world to Major Tom, as "Space Oddity" was released!
A 7-inch single, which later became the opening track of his second album, David Bowie, was produced by Gus Dudgeon. The song is a tale about the fictional astronaut Major Tom; who was partly inspired by 2001: A Space Odyssey. Space Oddity was one of the most musically complex songs ever made in rock at the time, and was a drastic shift from the sound of his debut album, which was inspired by the Bee Gees sound of the 60's.
The song was released to capitalize on the Apollo 11 Moon landing, as it played on the BBC's coverage of the rocket launch and Moon landing, receiving critical praise. Space Oddity would become Bowie's first and only hit for three years till his creation of Ziggy Stardust. Bowie would later revisit the Major Tom character in 1980 with the sequel song "Ashes to Ashes," which helped usher in England's "New Romantic" period.
"Space Oddity" is one of Bowie's greatest compositions and remains one of his most popular songs, landing on the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame's "500 Songs that Shaped Rock and Roll".
This is ground control Major Tom, Happy Anniversary!